If you are a parent, you undoubtedly want to do everything you can to ensure your child is healthy. From the frequent check ups to late night doctor calls, there isn’t much you wouldn’t do for your kids. When it comes to dental care for your children, it can sometimes be a little less clear the best way to ensure their teeth are healthy. Furthermore, it is very important to instill good dental habits in their early years. A dentist near Eastpointe says that there are different things on which to focus in your child’s dental care as they begin to get older.
The Early Years: Caring for Your Baby’s Teeth
Tooth decay can occur as soon as your child’s teeth appear. This can happen anywhere from a few months of age to a year of age, but can vary like most developmental milestones. Once your child begins to show teeth, it is important to brush them twice a day. With these baby teeth, only a smidge of fluoride-free toothpaste is necessary.
The Next Step: Ages 3 to 6
While there is no definitive age when teeth begin to develop more, children between the ages of 3 and 6 will require a little bit more toothpaste as they now have more area to cover. This is the age when your children are beginning to lean more about caring for themselves, so it is very important to help them understand the importance of brushing their teeth regularly and properly. Once you feel your child is ready, they can start brushing their teeth on their own. But, be sure to monitor the amount of toothpaste they use in the beginning. As many parents know, kids can get a little too excited with squeezable items.
Straighten Things Out with Braces
Just as there was no clear age cut-off for when your child was ready to begin brushing their own teeth, the same holds true for braces and other methods of teeth alignment. If your child does need some improvements in the structure of their teeth, it is important to consult a dentist near Eastpointe as early as possible. With an earlier consultation, you will be able to create a plan to fix whatever issues may be going on with your child’s tooth structure. If your child has an over or under bite, an earlier consultation will allow your dentist near Eastpointe to best advise you on the ways to guide the growth of the jaw to accommodate new teeth while fixing the bite issue. If you or your child are not too thrilled about the idea of braces, keep in mind that clear aligners may also be a great way to accomplish these goals.
Looking for a Dentist Near Eastpointe?
As every child is different, it is important to talk to your dentist near Eastpointe for every step of your child’s oral development. For top notch dental services for the whole family in Southeastern Michigan, contact Dr. Apsey DDS today.